Oldboy
Directed by Chan-wook Park
2003


Brilliance. A word used for art, music, and movies. This is also used for great films such as Schindler's List, Unforgiven, The Matrix, and Lawrence of Arabia. Oldboy is another motion picture deserving of this accolade. This is far and away the best film I have seen so far in 2004. I was speechless at the end of this film. Not by its ending or characters, not even by its incredibly original storyline. But by the feeling of utter perfection after the last credit rolled.

The film begins with Oh Daesu (Choi Min-sik) in police station. He is arrested by disorderly conduct and being drunk. Then after being released by his friend, all hell breaks loose. I will not give the story away as its originality is its best aspect. Chan-wook Park's films are filled with such pessimistic values that its hard to love his films but through only pessimistic ways can optimistic parts come through. I love this film for all its worth. This is a film meant to be seen by only those who can stomach a character eating a live squid, barking like a dog, and cutting off his own tongue.

The best film of 2004. More than deserving of the Cannes Grand Prix in France but more deserving of the Palme' Dor.

Go see it.
It may be sick, it may be beautiful, but there's no doubt this film is powerful.

Grade: A+